Max Ramirez

by sggut95 on Jun 19, 2008 4:56 PM EDT Comment 12 comments

This is partially in response to the Chris Davis post, which got a lot of feedback. As most of you know by now, Max Ramirez is another Rangers prospect who is on an absolute tear. He is systematically demoralizing Texas League pitchers, and I'm personally shocked he hasn't been promoted to AAA yet. He's just 23, listed at 5'11", 175 (which I don't believe for a second. Try 195.), listed also as a catcher (though he spends a lot of time at DH). He's hitting .352/.451/.639 with 16 HR, and a 55:35 K:BB ratio in 230 AB. I saw him in person when he came to town, and he looked to me to be a patient hitter, willing to work counts, take walks, and wait for his pitch. Showed an ability and willingness to take an outside pitch the opposite way, and just scorched the ball whenever he hit it.

So here's the question: What do the Rangers do with him? Fellow prospect Chris Davis was promoted to AAA. Ramirez was not. Scouts doubt Ramirez can stick at catcher. But his bat seems to be for real. He's hit well at every level (though this year's numbers are definitely a spike), with career minor league numbers at .311/.414/.512 over 5 seasons (started rookie ball at 19). Do the Rangers shift him to first base? He's blocked there by Davis and eventually Smoak. Do they make him an outfielder? Seems to be room there. Do they try to keep him at catcher? Blocked by Saltalamachia, Laird, and Teagarden. How about DH? Do you make a 23-year-old a career DH?

Whatever position he plays, I think he'd also make a very attractive bargaining chip for some pitching help. Who's buying?

Any thoughts?

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Ramirez

For now, the Rangers want him to catch several days a week, and if he was in AAA he couldn’t do that backing up Teagarden. Long term he looks like a DH/1B/3rd catcher. I think you’ll see movement in about a month. Surely one of Salty/Laird will be traded. Perhaps then Teagarden moves up to Arlington and Ramirez to AAA. OR…if they want Teagarden to keep catching every day you might see Ramirez come up to Arlington—especially if Milton Bradley is traded and they could use a DH.

Of course, both could come up, with Teagarden backing up whichever starting catcher remains and occasionally DHing while Ramirez DHs and occasionally backs up at catcher when needed.

Daniels has taken a ton of flack, but you have to give the credit for keeping the team’s options open. They could go any number of ways with this incredible depth at catcher, DH, and 1B (Davis/Smoak/Blalock if he’s ever healthy). His strategy of stockpiling up the middle guys will pay dividends for a long time if he plays his cards right.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 19, 2008 6:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

rangers

Blalock is a 3B man. He will be at 1st for a short while to prove he is healthy. Then back to 3rd. There is a good chance he will be showcased for a trade. His name has been mentioned a lot in the past. From what I heard he always talks about changing his approach and being coachable but doesn’t actually follow-up.

Salty is the catcher of the future. He will stay there unless proving he can’t. Similar to McCann and Victor. Teagarden may offer a better combo. But Salty is there now and showing what he can do.

Teagarden is excellent in case Salty shows he can’t in fact catch every day. If not he’s excellent trade material.

Davis should be their 1B if not playing the OF.

Max should stay at C for now. Unless it hurts his hitting which it hasn’t so far. Texas is in big need of pitching. Max could be an important part of their lineup. He could also be an important part of a trade for a top pitching prospect. Just don’t see him netting a top pitching prospect, yet. Next year? If he does the same he might net a top pitcher. So hold on and be patient.

by pedrophile on Jun 19, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Trades...

What if the Yanks offered Kennedy? Would you say that’s enough, close or not nearly enough?

I’m thinking the Yanks should pick him up and shift Posada to DH this offseason. With this shoulder problems, they might want to stop him from catching.

http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com/

by hallofamer2000 on Jun 19, 2008 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

for the Yanks it's great

I’m just not a fan of Kennedy especially in Texas.

by pedrophile on Jun 19, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Curious

What would be a fair haul for the Rangers?

Assume Jackson, Hughes, and Chamberlain are all untouchable.

Some pitching prospects/avaliable pitchers: Jeff Marquez, Alan Horne, Dan McCutchen, Mark Melancon, David Robertson, JB Cox, Zach McAllister, Jairo Heredia, Chase Wright, Anthony Claggett, Alfredo Aceves, George Kontos, Kevin Whelan, Ian Kennedy, Ross Ohlendorf,

http://yankeesmtom.blogspot.com/

by hallofamer2000 on Jun 19, 2008 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see any reason

Jackson should be untouchable.

Joba we are agreed on. Hughes as well for now. But if Max progresses then he might be in the same category. But the Yanks need pitching more right now. But Austin seems like the type of player to dangle.

by pedrophile on Jun 19, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would the Yanks want a catcher?

They already have Jesus Montero, whom it seems they’re considering their catcher of the post-Posada future?

by sggut95 on Jun 21, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blalock

Is a man without a position or a future in the organization. No idea what happened to him, though his drastic loss of power is suspicious. Unfortunately, his stock right now is so low, the only trade value he has is nickels on the dollar. That said, he does have significantly more upside than Vasquez at third, although, to be fair, V has been filling in quite admirably.

by sggut95 on Jun 21, 2008 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs